Noob question about train lines :: Factorio General Discussions

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Nuggs

Dec 27, 2023 @ 11:52am

Noob question about train lines

hi so im fairly new to the game. im doing my first run. I played all the tutorials on trains and i dont quite understand what ive done wrong with one of my train lines.

I wish i had a picture of it. But to describe the train line it should be very simple. I have one stop at one end which then make the the train go back the way it came on one rail to the stop on the other end. so theres no loop. It was working fine with one train. However, when i added a second stop to each area for the second train i made to pull into that second stop on each end both say they have no path.

And im not sure why they say they have no path to ecah other because when i manually move the second train i can quite literally get back and forth between the two. Basically both stops at both ends of the line i have dividing into a little y shape where both trains should pull in on each side of both stops. Bu they share the one track going between the two locations. and i have train signals in the right places.

Can i not share 2 trains on one rail even if i have stop signals at the y junctions? I would think i could just like in sweet transit. Im just very confused as to why im getting told that my two new stops at each end have no path to each other when they clearly do and i cant for the life of me figure out why.

Did my best to explain how my rail works with out being able to post pictures. Sorry if my description isnt that great. Maybe just some general ideas as to why two stops that are connected to eachother would say they have no path would also be of use to me. Thanks in advance for any answers.

This is my first time using trains in this game so im just a tad confused.

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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments

Khaylain

Dec 27, 2023 @ 11:59am

Why can't you post pictures? Steam literally has built-in functionality for taking screenshots and sharing them here.

The one thing that you might check out is if the stations are on the right side of the track for the trains. Otherwise I think I would need screenshots to be able to help you.

brian_va

Dec 27, 2023 @ 12:37pm

2 trains on 1 track is doable but the signaling is a bit tricky until you understand how it works.
to do a screenshot press f12 to take the screenshot. in steam go to profile, then activity. screenshots on the right, then upload up towards the top. select the screenshots and it should be upload or something to that effect. then do view online and there is a share button that will give you a link to post here.
it sounds harder than it is after you do it once or twice.

Torgonius

Dec 27, 2023 @ 2:21pm

Signals separate the track into blocks. Only 1 train can occupy a block at a time. When you add a second train, if you haven't added signals, the track will always show 'no path' since there is already a train out there.

You can do a single track between stations, but at some point, you'll need a double track section where one train can pull off and allow the other to pass.

Even if you make a perfect loop with tracks going both directions, until you add signals, only the signals that are generated by the stations will control traffic.

kevinshow

Dec 27, 2023 @ 6:25pm

Manually moving ignores the signals and stops so that's why it seems like it works...but then it doesn't when you're trying to do automatic movement.

The 3 important things about running on one track, is that you either need a loop for a train with 1 locomotive (which you don't have that loop, so you need to do the next part), or you need 2 locomotives, each facing in opposite directions. It's also easy to confuse this and put 2 locomotives but they are both facing the same direction, since the game doesn't warn you that you're doing that. Finally, the third thing is that the train stop needs to be on the right hand side of the locomotive.

So let's say you have a train like this

<-- Locomotive1 + CarZ + Locomotive2 -->

Notice how each locomotive is facing in different directions, represented by the arrows.

Then your stop signs should be like this

Stop1 <-- Locomotive1 + CarZ + Locomotive2 --> Stop2

Notice that Stop1 is on the right-hand side of Locomotive1, and Stop2 is on the right-hand side of Locomotive2.

With this setup, your 2-locomotive train can travel on one railway path, going between Stop1 and Stop2, using whatever conditions you want. Normal conditions might be, wait till fully loaded, or wait till fully emptied.

Last edited by kevinshow; Dec 27, 2023 @ 6:31pm